The Pastorate Podcast

Brandon Richardson, Lead Pastor of Slate Church in Waterloo, joins Jason to share his journey from leading a university ministry to planting and pastoring a vibrant, intergenerational church.He reflects on how a passion for students and the city of Waterloo gave birth to Slate Church, and what he’s learned along the way about holding leadership with both responsibility and humility. Brandon also shares about the value of deep, ongoing friendship among pastors and why he believes in the Church’s mission in smaller towns across Canada.In this episode:From campus ministry to church plantingNavigating structure in a young, growing churchHolding leadership with both a closed fist and open handThe power of pastoral cohorts and friendshipA vision for vibrant churches in small towns across CanadaWe hope this conversation encourages you in your own ministry journey.PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Guest NotesSlate Church WebsiteShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

Every pastor wants to lead with spiritual depth—but how do we cultivate intimacy with God in the midst of busy leadership?Tyler Staton, Lead Pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland and National Director of 24/7 Prayer USA, joins Jason Ballard for a deeply personal conversation on prayer, consecration, and spiritual formation. Tyler shares how his teenage experiences with prayer shaped his calling, what it meant to plant Oaks Church in Brooklyn, and how he’s now leading Bridgetown into a deeper rhythm of presence and intercession.Tyler reflects on:Starting a prayer movement in middle schoolPlanting and pastoring in New York CityBuilding a culture of prayer through stretch and recovery rhythmsThe call to consecration and holiness in leadershipWhy abiding must come before output in ministryWe hope this episode renews your vision for leading from the secret place.PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Guest NotesPraying with the Church - Scot McKnightSearching For Enough - Tyler StatonTyler Staton's WebsiteShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

As we finish off 2021, we wanted to take a moment to look back on some of the conversations we have had this past year that encouraged us in ministry, shifted our thinking, and brought us back to a deeper abiding in Christ. For links to all the episodes featured, you can find them here.  Give today to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada. Get Connected! Blog & Episode write-up Website Join our Mailing List!  Subscribe on YouTube Follow on Instagram  Share a Canadian Church Story

What if your leadership frustrations aren’t a sign of failure—but of misaligned gifting?This week, Jason is joined by Alan Hirsch—author, missiologist, and global voice on church renewal—for a conversation on leadership identity, the five-fold gifts of Ephesians 4, and how to move beyond Sunday-centric models of church. Drawing from decades of movemental leadership, Alan unpacks the APEST framework (apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, teacher) and why reclaiming your spiritual wiring is essential for healthy, sustainable ministry.Alan shares about:The dangers of forcing all pastors into shepherd-teacher rolesHow the pandemic exposed over-reliance on Sunday servicesWhy mission, justice, and discipleship need to be recenteredHis vision for a Church led by everyday disciple-makersWhether you’re tired, reimagining your calling, or leading change in your church, this conversation is both clarifying and deeply challenging.BiographyAlan Hirsch is the founder of 100 Movements, Forge Mission Training Network, and Future Travelers, and 5QCollective. All these organizations focus on pioneering leadership development and training and consulting on the church as a missional movement. Known for his innovative approach to mission, Alan is widely considered to be a thought-leader in his field and has worked with churches and organization across the world, but mainly in North America, Europe, and Australia. Hirsch is the author of numerous award winning books including The Forgotten Ways, The Shaping of Things to Come, ReJesus and The Faith of Leap, Untamed, Right Here, Right Now, On the Verge, and The Permanent Revolution. His experience includes leading a local church movement among the marginalized, developing training systems for innovative missional leadership, and heading up the mission and revitalization work of his denomination. Alan is co-founder of the M.A. in Missional Church Movements at Wheaton College (Illinois). He is also adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary, George Fox Seminary, Asbury Seminary, among others, and he lectures frequently throughout Australia, Europe, and the United States. He is series editor for IVP's Forge line, Baker Books' Shapevine series.PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Guest Notes5Q Book360 APEST AssessmentStarfish and the Spirit book Reframation bookShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

What does it take to faithfully disciple the next generation?This week, Jason is joined by Sid Koop—Executive Director of Youth Worker Community—for a conversation on youth ministry, volunteer leadership, and contending for the future of the Church. With over 20 years of experience as a youth pastor, camp speaker, and professor, Sid shares what churches need to know about reaching young people today.Sid shares about:His calling to youth ministry and why he’s stayed in it for over two decadesWhy developing great volunteers is the key to effective youth discipleshipWhat churches are doing well—and what needs to change—in youth engagementHow personal loss shaped his passion and urgency for ministryWhether you lead youth, pastor a church, or care deeply about the next generation, this conversation will encourage and equip you for the road ahead.BiographyFrom camp speaker to local youth pastor to youth ministry professor, Sid Koop draws from a deep well of experience over a couple decades. He is the Executive Director of Youth Worker Community where he and his team are dedicated to filling in the gaps for youth workers by equipping, empowering, and supporting youth workers to help the next generation know Jesus.Sid has a Masters in Youth and Family Ministries and is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry in Emerging Generations at Gordon-Conwell Seminary.PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Guest NotesTruth MattersArrow LeadershipYouth Worker CommunityShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

What does it take to lead with emotional and spiritual integrity?This week, Jason is joined by Rich Villodas—Lead Pastor of New Life Fellowship in Queens, NY—for a conversation on emotional health, interior transformation, and the pressures of leadership in the public eye. Drawing from his own journey and the legacy of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, Rich offers wisdom for pastors navigating both personal formation and public ministry.Rich shares about:Coming to faith in Queens and being discipled by his grandfatherHow Emotionally Healthy Discipleship shaped his leadershipThe difference between celebrity and celebrity-ism in church cultureWhy interior examination is essential for long-term ministry healthWhether you’re leading a congregation or discerning your next steps in ministry, this conversation invites you into a deeper, healthier way of pastoring.BiographyRich Villodas is the Brooklyn-born lead pastor of New Life Fellowship, a large, multiracial church with more than seventy-five countries represented in Elmhurst, Queens. He is also a key speaker for Emotionally Healthy Discipleship—a movement that has touched hundreds of thousands of people. Rich graduated with a BA in pastoral ministry and theology from Nyack College. He went on to complete his Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary. His award-winning book, The Deeply Formed Life, was released in September 2020. He and his wife, Rosie, have two beautiful children and reside in Queens, New York.PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Guest NotesDeeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero  Show Notes⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

What does it mean to return to the Lord’s Table with awe, unity, and reverence?This week, Jason is joined by Francis Chan—pastor, author, and church planter—for a powerful conversation on the sacredness of Communion, the pursuit of spiritual unity, and what it means to centre the Church around the presence of Jesus. Drawing from decades of ministry and a personal call to reimagine church gatherings, Francis offers a compelling vision for a Church marked by humility, love, and awe.Francis shares about:His journey planting house churches and ministering in Hong KongWhy Communion must reclaim its central place in our gatheringsThe cost of pursuing unity across theological and denominational linesHow reverence, reconciliation, and shared presence lead to renewalWhether you’re leading in a season of division or longing to see your church awakened to God’s presence, this conversation is a call to return to what matters most.Biography Francis Chan has been a pastor for over thirty years. He is a New York Times–bestselling author of several books, including Crazy Love, Letters to the Church, and Until Unity. He and his wife, Lisa, have been married nearly thirty years and co-authored You and Me Forever. Currently, Francis is in Northern California teaching & discipling the next generation of pastors and leaders.PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Guest NotesWorld Vision's: Connected Generation Report Until Unity Book Show NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

Every leader faces moments when vision dims and passion wavers. How do we sustain a long-term vision for ministry while leading with joy and conviction?This week, Shaila Visser, National Director of Alpha Canada, joins Jason Ballard to share insights from her leadership journey and what it looks like to empower others while staying grounded in God’s call. Together, they reflect on leading Alpha through seasons of renewal, investing in the next generation, and what the latest research is revealing about evangelism in Canada.Shaila shares about:Leading organizational change with courage and visionHow to release and cover young leaders for growthHer personal journey of renewal in evangelismWhy prayer and partnership with the Spirit are essential for missionKey insights from Alpha’s “State of Evangelism” reportWhether you’re navigating change, mentoring young leaders, or seeking renewed passion for evangelism, this episode is filled with wisdom, encouragement, and hope for the Church in Canada and beyond.BiographyShaila Visser is the National Director of Alpha Canada and the Global Senior Vice-President for Alpha International. She is the Executive Producer of both The Alpha Youth Film Series (2013) and The Alpha Film Series (2016), and currently holds positions on the Board of the Damascus Road Foundation and on the Board of Regent College-an International Graduate School in Vancouver.PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Guest NotesWorld Vision's: Connected Generation Report Shaila's WebsiteAlpha CanadaShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

What does it look like to lead with humility and courage in a culture that’s skeptical of the Church?This week, Jason is joined by Danielle Strickland—pastor, author, and justice advocate—for a timely and honest conversation about repentance, gospel action, and empowering the next generation. Danielle invites pastors to move beyond defensiveness, embrace lament, and reflect deeply on how the Church can better embody the good news of Jesus.Danielle shares about:Her experiences confronting injustice within Church systemsWhy repentance and lament are vital to renewalHow the gospel calls us to both belief and actionWhat it means to truly empower young leaders for Kingdom workA hopeful path forward for leaders tired, discouraged, or disillusionedWhether you’re navigating criticism, wrestling with cultural change, or longing for a more authentic expression of faith, this conversation is a challenge—and a breath of fresh air.Biography Danielle Strickland’s aggressive compassion has served people firsthand in countries all over the world. From establishing justice departments and church plants, to launching global anti-trafficking initiatives, to creating new initiatives to mobilize people towards transformational spiritual life. Danielle trains, advocates, and inspires people to live differently through initiatives like: Amplify Peace, Brave Global, Infinitum, and Women’s Speaker Collective.PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Guest NotesWorld Vision's: Connected Generation Report IMBY HomesWorld Vision Chosen InitiativeDanielle Strickland's websiteShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

What does the future of the Church look like—and how should we lead in a culture that’s rapidly changing?This week, Jason is joined by David Kinnaman (Barna) and Mark Sayers (Red Church) for a timely and data-driven conversation about young adults, church trends, and the kind of leadership the next generation needs. Drawing from Barna’s Connected Generation research, they explore how the pandemic accelerated spiritual shifts—and why the Church’s call to deep discipleship is more urgent than ever.David & Mark share about:Key insights from Barna’s research on Canadian Gen Z and MillennialsWhy many who left the Church during the pandemic were already on the edgeThe rise of resilient disciples and what makes them uniqueHow the Church can move from surface engagement to deep formationThe future of leadership: humble, courageous, and Spirit-dependentThis episode is a sober yet hope-filled invitation to lean into what God is doing in the refining of His Church—and to shepherd a generation hungry for depth, purpose, and the presence of Jesus.BiographiesDavid Kinnaman is the author of the bestselling books Faith For Exiles, Good Faith, You Lost Me and unChristian. He is president of Barna Group, a leading research and communications company that works with churches, nonprofits, and businesses ranging from film studios to financial services. Since 1995, David has directed interviews with more than two million individuals and overseen thousands of U.S. and global research studies. He lives in California with his three children. Mark Sayers is the senior leader of Red Church in Melbourne, Australia. He is passionate about spiritual renewal and the future of the church. Mark is the author of a number of books including Strange Days and Reappearing Church.  Mark lives in Melbourne with his wife, Trudi, his daughter, Grace, and twin boys, Hudson and Billy. PartnersWe couldn’t do the work we do at The Pastorate without your generous support. We invite you to pray, share, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠towards seeding a hope-filled future for the Canadian church.Guest NotesConnected Generation ReportShow NotesWebsite⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠